How To Pick the Right Accent Chairs

Picking accent chairs and ottomans can be tricky, and we get countless questions about how to do it right. Truthfully, there are a lot of guides out there on how to choose the right shape and style of armchairs, cocktail chairs, rocking chairs and stools. But, in our opinion, the hardest part about picking accent chairs isn't measuring, but knowing what will work well in your space. So, we decided to spill a few of our secrets to create a simple, step-by-step guide with tips from our design team! Nevertheless, here is our comprehensive guide to picking the accent chairs:

This beautiful ‘Sagari’ rocking chair has a contemporary flair, with a stylish combination of rich, tactile leather and a striking iron frame. While away an afternoon with the gentle sway of this comfortable rocking chair.

STEP ONE: PICK YOUR TYPE

First, let’s cover the basics.

“What differences are there between the type of chairs and armchairs on offer?”

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Cocktail chairs are a small elegant shape upholstered chair, that would look stylish as a feature chair in a bedroom or next to a mid-century sofa or drinks trolley.

Occasional chairs as the name suggests is a chair only ever used on the odd occasion, designed to provide a particular accent or style to your room. They can be fantastic focal points, whether ornate or modern.

Wingback chairs statement chairs, notable for its high back and wingback sides and are best placed next to a fireside in your living room or a corner as a reading nook.

Armchairs as the name suggest possessing arms and a high back, allowing you to sit back and relax. The seat runs to the floor, with a choice of classic and modern styles.

Tub chairs are a modern chair with arms that are attached to the back of the chair, a popular choice for the contemporary home. For simplicity or minimalism, tub chairs are the perfect chair to harmonise your room.

Slipper chairs first appeared in the early 18th century for putting on shoes or slippers. Hence the name. Armless, upholstered, with short legs sitting low to the ground to make it a comfortable choice.

Chaise Lounge A glamorous long chair. A popular choice of seating to add an air of elegance. The chaise lounge began in Ancient Egypt and have a history as a simple yet opulent seating option to lie back and relax.

Ottoman is low seats or hassocks imported from Turkey during the 1700s. Covering a wide range of styles, usually, a footstool or padded bench, used with a chair or as a makeshift coffee table that doubles as seating.

Although, of course, there are exceptions, typically, the back of the chair and legs will be the determining factor for your space. If you want to maintain a feeling of space, consider a chair with a lower back with taller legs to protect views.

Once you measure your room, double-check the measurements of the chair you are looking at to make sure it will fit through a doorway when packaged.

STEP TWO: CONSIDER FUNCTION

When picking accent chairs for our clients, we always talk to them about function.

“Think about how you will use the chairs in your home. If more flexibility is desired, we use a lower back chair or a stool. If the priority is comfort, we look at winged chairs with arms or upholstery.” - Beck, Creative Director.

There are many reasons to choose one type of chair over another. Some of our clients with young children want to avoid lighter colours, while others want to be able to move them throughout their home for multiple uses. Whatever your reasoning, make sure you love the function of your chair just as much as you love how they look! After all, chances are you’ll be using them every day for years to come.

Versatility is everything

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STEP THREE: CHOOSE YOUR STYLE

Although this is the most fun part, it can also be the trickiest. Like so much in interior design, there are countless ways to think about the “right” way to do something. When it comes to choosing accent chairs or stools, that couldn’t be truer.

What works well is so dependent on the style of your room. It’s hard to put our finger on what we “always do,” when picking accent chairs or stool, (or anything for that matter) but here are a few things our design team recommends:

A successful eclectic mix of armchairs, sofas, ottomans and pouffes! Their colours and woods beautifully combine to create a warm and bright room, retaining the feeling of a home.

TRY JUXTAPOSING STYLES

We are all about good dichotomy, especially when it comes to living space design.

“In a lot of instances, we contrast more traditional spaces with modern pieces. Of course, there are cases where we’ll do a traditional stool in a traditional kitchen, but we love the way different styles balance each other out to create interest. Say, for example, your kitchen is traditional in shape, style, and elements; adding a modern, iron stool can change the entire ”

- Beck, Creative Director.

A slouchy armchair paired with a matching footstool invites you to sink in and relax. Not only pleasing to the eye, but this combination also makes a corner into a destination of its own.

ADD TEXTURE

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The texture is crucial to creating interest! When styling living rooms, one objective is to elevate pieces through texture for a delicious twist on the everyday. Accent chairs provide the perfect opportunity to add interest to the living room.

STOOL OF THE MOMENT

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It’s hard to pick favourites, but lately, we’re erring towards the Ryder Ottoman by West Elm.

Upholstered in beautiful natural tan leather and sitting proudly on solid eucalyptus legs. Our whole team are looking to bag this stool before it’s gone.

This stool blends modern with traditional, interest with simplicity, and form with function. In other words, this stool does it all. We love it so much, it's planned for two of our projects.